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AIB has reversed its decision to end cash services at 70 branches around the country, including five in Kerry — Castleisland, Cahersiveen, Dingle, Kenmare and Killorglin.
In a statement, the bank said it had decided not to proceed with the proposed changes, which had caused anger in communities all over the county.
Kerry politicians have welcomed the news. Minister Norma Foley said: “It is absolutely the right decision. This is positive news for so many people, businesses and communities that depend on banks across the country.”
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Sinn Fein Kerry Deputy Pa Daly said; “AIB not going ahead with cashless move.
People taking a stand has forced this change. Government must now ensure there are stronger consumer protections in place to stop this happening again.”
The AIB statement this afternoon reads; “In recent years there has been a dramatic increase in the use of digital banking services and a decline in branch visits and cash usage. In AIB’s case, there are 2.9 million daily digital interactions compared with 35,000 customer branch visits.
“There has been a 36% decline in cash withdrawals from ATMs and a 50% fall in cheque usage over the past five years, while mobile and online payments have increased by 85 per cent in that same time frame,” it said.
“It was in the context of this evolving banking environment and the opportunity to enhance its long- standing relationship with An Post that AIB took the decision to remove cash services from 70 of its branches.
“However, recognising the customer and public unease that this has caused, AIB has decided not to proceed with the proposed changes to its bank services,” it read.
